Nationals Draft 17-Year-Old Eli Willits as No. 1 Pick in MLB Draft

In a thrilling turn of events at the MLB amateur draft, the Washington Nationals have swung for the fences by selecting 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits as the No. 1 overall pick. This young talent from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma is now the youngest top pick since the legendary Ken Griffey Jr. in 1987. Talk about starting your career with a grand slam!

Willits, a switch-hitting phenom and son of former major leaguer Reggie Willits, brings a raw energy and potential that’s hard to ignore. With a high school batting average of .473 and an OPS of .912, he’s already showing the kind of stats that make scouts drool. He’s confident in his hitting ability and believes his power will only grow with the right development—something he trusts the Nationals to deliver.

Interim general manager Mike DeBartolo didn’t hesitate to praise Willits, calling him the best hitter and fielder in the draft, with an unmatched work ethic and character. This pick comes at a pivotal time for the Nationals, who recently parted ways with manager Dave Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo, signaling a fresh start for the franchise.

At just 17 years and 216 days old, Willits is stepping into the spotlight with big dreams and even bigger potential. If he develops as expected, we might just be witnessing the birth of a baseball superstar. Stay tuned—this kid’s story is only beginning!